This is the type of garbage one sided reporting that caused npr to lose their funding. Tune in so that way you can get your partisan politics. Why give you the news when they can just tell you how to feel.

The majority of Americans probably don’t know what these groups stand for. This podcast series shines a sliver of light on a small group of Americans beliefs. I recommend it to everyone.

Shrill Hyperbole

I found Season 2 to be very informative about Mr Wilson and his beliefs. Thank you very much for this insightful podcast and all of the interviews. I also appreciated the very last episode with the Q&A and panelists.

I wish everyone listened to this podcast. To me it’s a must listen. Wish I found it soon! Thank you NPR for your amazing coverage and staying true to the facts.

I think it is really important for Americans in general and particularly more progressive people to listen to podcasts like this and educate themselves. Part of the reason we are so far apart is because we do not know each other.

Prompted by another review I listened to season 2, episode 8. It’s scary, and sad that there are people who believe in a specific religion so fervently, and want it fulfilled so eagerly, that they consider anyone else an enemy, unworthy, and would strip away their freedoms because their beliefs (or lack of!) don’t align with their Christianity. Absolutely disgusting. They have become the depraved.

Wonderful unveiling work. Thank you. Not sure how to sleep at night w/ conformation of fears I've intuited for so many years, but bravo on excellent research & presentation work!

Well done! I grew up in Spokane during the 80s and 90s when the Aryan National Compound was a prominent part of the Inland NW. Trying to explain it to my friends who grew up in liberal sheltered areas has been interesting to say the least. Having this well done podcast to share is helpful!

Well done. Well researched. Thank you.

I’ve been very interested in these topic for years. The rise of militias fomented by a twisted version of manhood and patriotism is very concerning. The second season explaining the rise of Christian nationalism, as a Christian myself, terrified me. Both seasons explain how these groups, mostly white men , intoxicated by a fervent desire for absolute control are forming intricate and very powerful institutions that can erode and destabilize American society and our democratic institutions. I can’t see my faith reflected on these ideas but I understand were they come from. This is a must listen for everyone.

A well-researched podcast with clear analysis. The series shows how much wrong thinking and arrogance there is out there. Is what passes for American masculinity in the eyes of this church or these militias a brand women want? Seems like a set up for an epic fail, boys. It’s alright to be enlightened and cultured. Let’s aim for more of that.

Thank you for pointing out some wonderful organizations to support, it’s wonderful to see people of faith being taken seriously in the public square. Because of your podcast, I’ve been finding new Christian organizations to support!

I appreciate the important attention on Christian Nationalism, including in today’s Up First. However, for a deeper view of this movement and of Christ Church, I recommend Sons of Patriarchy more. Sons of Patriarchy does a better job of bringing attention to the personal damage that these groups perpetrate on their members. Christ Church and their affiliates are not just a different kind of extreme group to be “concerned” about, but Sons of Patriarchy shows the consistent patterns of emotional, physical, spiritual, and sexual abuse that are promoted within them. I appreciate the way that Sons of Patriarchy demonstrates the ways by which the teachings of Christ Church are manifestly not Christian.

A fascinating podcast about “Christians” whining about being persecuted whilst persecuting other people. The man letting kids smoke in his garage so he can preach to them is wild😂 NPR’s podcast team did a fantastic job. It’s a well made podcast and the sound bites keep you hooked.

Good God, these militia fools are the genuinely the most ignorant people in the county. Utter wannabe morons. Our schools are failing. The Second Amendment is to guard against government tyranny? LOL. That ship sailed when the government got nukes, dumb dumbs. Save us from these ridiculous man children.

Both seasons are very interesting. The use of interviews with the principal actors is helpful. However, the host’s leftist bias is obvious, and his commentary can be tone-deaf. Listen with discernment.

Thank you for the thought-provoking, insightful, and balanced exploration of right-wing religious and political sects. The host is exceptionally knowledgeable and presents the material in an engaging, unbiased manner. Each episode leaves me curious (and admittedly terrified) to learn more.

Thank you Heath for your 2 seasons of Extremely American! Such great reporting and I learned so much. I hope you have more episodes coming up.

Punching snow you weight again. Great podcast with just the right amount story and thought provoking depth.

I am always skeptical of NPR shows on religion and politics because they are usually so left-leaning. But I recommend that you hang on and listen to all of the episodes in season 2. The bonus episode, number 10, of season 2 provides the balance needed to explain the problem of Christian Nationalism. But two of the panelists are also critical of the wokeness that comes out of the left. Finally, an NPR episode that does not lump all Christians into one extremist category. What I would like to hear/see from NPR in this podcast is a season or two of “Extremely American” that focuses on the extremists on the political left as well. They can be just as militant.

To be fair, it’s my own bias that causes me to desire media outlets to search harder for “moderate” evangelical Christians. As someone that takes my Christian faith very seriously, I see a trend toward a perception that religion (specifically Christianity) and politics are mutually inclusive. I embrace the historical definition of being evangelical, yet recognize that most Christians are actually some hybrid version of this. I recognize the Bible gives some guidelines for governance, but more strongly exhorts followers of “The Way” as being held to standards that are not influenced by civic authorities. Heath and Jimmy tell a compelling story, and the individuals they interview are more than happy to propel their message that all “true” Christians should be cut from the same cloth. I wish the evangelical zeitgeist didn’t support such generalized and stereotypical ideas about Biblical Christianity.

Hanging on every word about this real and present danger to America.

If you listen to no other episode, listen to season 2 episode 8. Then, go back and get the background. This is truly well-researched. This has serious historical undertones.

Goes to great length to push their bias storyline. They painted militias as if they were gonna take over in season 1. Fast forward to 2024 and it’s the leftists still and again taking over college campus’s spreading hatred. Season 2 will be a bias one as well

Crucial and captivating expose on the evolution of the far right in the US. The groups and movements this podcast is covering are right in that zone of highly influential and yet tragically undercovered by the media. I’m hanging on the edge of every episode. 🍿

As a former Moscow resident from birth to age 18 (1981-1999), I knew that my parents avoided Christ Church businesses and disapproved of their K-12 school and college. I knew that the church had views that didn’t align with our own, but it seemed like a minor part of the town. Only now, decades later as an adult with an established world view, am I realizing how extreme Doug Wilson and church members are and how scary their strategy is. Now, as a resident of Florida, I see the parallels that are happening not just in churches, but in our government, public schools, and universities. If you remove the word “Christian” from the description, the curriculum of New St. Andrews College sounds a lot like the description of new majors at the Hamilton Center (established by the Florida legislature with dark money) at the University of Florida. Even though Moscow, Idaho may sound like a small, distant place, the same Christian nationalist playbook is being repeated across the country.

Listen to this well-done series. Heard about it on FP Wellman’s show. Session 2 on white Christian nationalists in Moscow, ID is chilling. Just finished Heath’s deep dive into militias in Session 1. Want to learn more? Listen to that!

Tapped tried to infiltrate Lewiston’s downtown. They lasted less than a year.

14 episodes. Weekly? First off this story is no pearl clutcher, so to spread it out for weeks on end is not how I will listen. As a resident of Moscow I’m looking forward to hearing the show. Sadly it seem that won’t happen till Labor Day.

It seems the hosts are determined to hear what they want, or find the wacko extremists and say they represent a huge group of people with real concerns about the direction of government (just not true).

so excited for season 2!!

All people want is to be left alone stop trying to control and abuse. Use people the solution to fix our situation. Is everybody stop voting no government done and guess what if they’re still in there trying to control everything then you know what we need the peoples army to liberate America from the tyrants that think they can keep us on uncle Sam’s plantation trying to liberty is everything every true American is more than willing to die for

First off, fantastic job on your research and knowledge of the topics. Second, where has it gone? I need more and I need it now! There are just a few bits and pieces that didn’t set right with me. Although it may seem like it is given in an un-biased,fact based manner,I don’t think that is quite the case. There were a few points you made that simply took low blows at the people you asked to interview. I feel the first episode was the best in terms of showing the movement from the inside. Some of the other episodes felt like news stories on scandals. Despite that this was an incredible series leaving me wanting more!

I’ve come to the personal conclusion that understanding the political themes on the extreme ends - right and left - is as necessary as watching the weather: It’s easier to prepare for a tornado if you listen to the people who understand the conditions leading up to it. The team behind Extremely American are steeped in this world and have researched the connections - as amorphous as they are - between a lot of the major players in the movement. They do the rest of us a massive service by performing this act of journalism and having their names attached, knowing that it might put a target on their backs.

A sprawling yet intimate look at white nationalist militias. Timely and unique

I wasn't sure what I would think of his topic but find myself listening to one episode after the other. Fascinating to hear about this part of America. I appreciate his unbiased story telling so we can make 'right' or 'wrong' judgements on our own.

The militia movement is presented from all sides in factual, unbiased ways that allow the listener to really think from others’ points of view, whether you agree with them or not. It’s interesting to hear from all sides in their own voices, and to learn the different militia groups and that they’re not all alike. Also, to fully cover all sides, there are episodes about people and groups organizing to try to stop the extremists from taking over at all levels of government.

Heath Druzin invested the time necessary to get this right. He arranges the episodes and provides narration, but he lets his guests speak for themselves and shows respect to all parties involved. If you want a rare picture of the militia movement and their opponents that isn’t charged with a political or social agenda, you should definitely check out Extremely American.

Well researched and presented. Each episode is informative and paints an interesting picture. I loved this Podcast. Thank you.

Extremely American is a must-listen for everyone in the country regardless of affiliation, providing an in-depth look of how right wing extremism is trying to reshape the US through violent preparations and political machinations.

This podcast provides a good insight into the far right’s political efforts and those opposing them in Idaho and the NW US region.

Don’t go to far in this anti-right fight or you’ll wind up like Colorado, Denver and Boulder against the rest of the people. Tom M

Excellent show! VERY well done, very informative, I highly recommend it.

I am a conservative libertarian living in Southern Idaho and I find this new right extremely concerning. So much so I switched my party affiliation from libertarian to Republican so I can vote against crazy eye McGeachin in the primary.

I have been following this movement in Idaho, and this is accurate information. An episode on the role of Christian Nationalism in the militia movement would be great.

This is real journalism; not flashy or chummy hosts bantering. Civic responsibility in our 21st century USA requires literacy re: extremism because it’s no longer dismissable as the “lunatic fringe.” An excellent production!

This is an incredibly well done show. Heath Druzin has done such an amazing job engaging with these groups and diving into their ideas and motives. Pace, content, and production are all top notch.

We’ll done and informative. We’ll balanced.

I thought this podcast was very informative and help me to understand the viewpoint of the militia much more. I also felt it was unbiased and presented things in a manner that I wish all news broadcast did! Thanks so much, Heath. I will definitely be listening to more of your podcasts!